Koshi windchimes

Based on more than 25 years of experience and success, Kabir, the inventor of the world renowned Shanti chimes, has developed a new chime, with different materials, a new design and new melodies.

The ‘Koshi’ chime is an authentic musical instrument, an original creation of high quality. Hand made at the foot of the Pyrenees mountains, each chime is the result of meticulous craftsmanship. Eight chords are welded with silver into the metal plate at the base of the resonance tube. Precise tuning creates a play of clear tones that is rich in overtones. The overtones of the shorter chords gradually dominate and become fundamentals, thus forming a circular tone range. Koshi chimes come in four tunings (Terra, Aqua, Aria & Ignis). Each has a specific magic timbre and can be played harmoniously with all others. The tube, made in our workshop, consists of bamboo veneer treated with natural oil. Move the chime gently holding it by its cord: the crystalline, relaxing sound may leave you in quiet wonder. Outside, as it plays with the wind it will carry you away on an unexpected melody.

I have used bamboo veneer as it is much stronger than the natural bamboo. A true “resonance tube” of a high acoustic quality is made with thin layers of bamboo. This and a new tuning technique that I developed give the sound even more depth and enrich the harmonics. The diameter of the tube is 6,3 cm and the height is 16,5 cm., 4cm longer than the former Shantis.

Outdoors: If used outdoors, the Koshi chimes should be protected from rain underneath an overhang. In damp weather, especially in coastal areas, it's best to take them indoors. Like all wooden objects outdoors, and specially bamboo, they should be regularly treated with a protective oil like clear teak oil, tung oil or wood oil. If black spots are seen on the bamboo, treat them with a paste of sodium bicarbonate with a little water and wipe it off once dried. After that treat with oil. Possible corrosion forming on the metal instrument will not affect the musical quality.

Children: The sound of the chimes is most wonderful for children. But for security reasons they should be kept out of reach of children under 3 years old.